Things looked to be on the rise for trainer Jason Lim.
The Singaporean handler, who became a trainer in his own right in 2019, only bagged his first Class 1 winner, Sky Eye on April 16 this year before Super Salute took out the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) a week later on April 23. And thanks to a plethora of winners in June, Lim now sits on top of the trainers’ premiership for the first time.
His 26 winners for the year puts him three ahead of 2020 champion trainer, Michael Clements, and his nine winners in June – with one meeting left in the month – included Lim’s second Group win with Super Salute in the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m).
For good measure, Lim knocked in his first four-timer last Saturday when Royal Commander ($22), Paletas ($11), Captain Singapore ($16), and Thunder Star ($86) saluted.
It was a day that the 41-year-old would never forget, even if Lim was not on course to witness his amazing quartet of winners.
“I was in Bangkok for a friend’s wedding,” said Lim, who is still on a well-deserved break with his family in Indonesia.
“I was watching the races and was cheering and shouting as usual – but from my hotel room instead of the trainers’ box. I got louder with each winner but there were no complaints from the other guests.
“I had my first hat-trick only two weeks ago (June 3), so I didn’t expect to get four winners on a day so soon.”
While Lim went into the meeting thinking that with some luck, he could watch on from Bangkok as his staff and owners led in one or two winners, but he was still amazed that it all came together on the day.
“I was expecting Royal Commander to run well down in Class (5 Division 1 race over 1200m),” he explained.
“And I was pretty confident with Paletas for the same reason (down to Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m). In fact, I thought he was the hardest to beat as he had excuses last start (May 27) not to win in Class 3.
“I wasn’t as sure about Captain Singapore (in the Class 5 race over 1100m). I actually thought he could have won at his last start (June 3) and (jockey) Daniel (Moor) suggested that we put blinkers on him.
“He (Moor) was committed to another horse so (jockey) Bernardo (Pinheiro) rode him and it (the blinkers) worked as he won by nearly five lengths. I have to thank Daniel for that win.
“Thunder Star (in the Class 4 race over 1000m) was a bonus win. He was drawn wide (in barrier 11) and had been disappointing of late, so it was a pleasant surprise.”
Given the purple patch of form of late, it is no surprise that the two horses Lim nominated for this Saturday’s races – General Command in the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1200m and Cosmic Dancer in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1200m – were last-start winners.
While both of them are up in Class, Lim saw no reason why the pair cannot win again.
“I thought General Command won really well last start,” he continued.
“That was in Class 2 company (on June 3) where he won by nearly three lengths and he looks well placed with 56.5kgs on Saturday. Even though he has won four races in Singapore, he still has some upsides.
“He clocked 42 secs over 600m this morning – so he is fit enough – and Nunes will ride again. He should go well.
“Cosmic Dancer is also up in grade after winning his last three (races) in Class 4 company.
“This race is definitely much harder but he carried 58.5kgs from a wide gate (barrier 10) when he won at his last start (on June 3). A horse like Pacific Emperor is very hard to beat but Bernardo knows this horse well, so I expect him (Cosmic Dancer) to be very competitive.”
Of his stellar year thus far, Lim admitted that he has tweaked his methods but was acutely aware that he now has the cattle to work with.
“I think we have improved our horses condition-wise and they are happier,” he said.
“But the quality is definitely up. I changed my mode of buying and I mostly buy raced horses bought online that look like they would appreciate Singapore racing.
“Super Salute, General Command and Cosmic Dancer are just three that we have sourced through the Inglis Digital Online Auction and they have won 15 races for me between them!”
Of the future, Lim is hopeful that his Group winning four-year-old Super Salute can tick another big box in July, but is unsure on where to from there.
“He’s (Super Salute) going great,” said Lim of the son of I am Invincible.
“He pulled up well from the Silver Bowl (on June 11) and is ready for the (Group 2) Stewards’ Cup (1600m) Sunday week (July 2).
“If he could give me my first Group 1 win in the Singapore Derby (1800m), that would be a dream come true.
“As for the rest of the year and beyond, I’m not sure. I just have to look after my owners and my staff. That’s my priority. ”
The Stewards’ Cup is the second leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, and the Series will culminate with the Singapore Derby on July 23.
By Larry Foley, STC
